Category Archives: Diversions

The stuff that didn’t fit elsewhere.

Things I would like for my birthday

Monday is my 35th birthday. I’m mostly OK with that, but not as OK as I was with turning 30, which I thought was going to be a bigger deal, psychologically speaking I guess. And here’s why: When I fill out a survey now, I’m in the next age bracket. I don’t know why that’s a problem for me this time around, but it is. And instead of delving into why I find that troubling, let’s just look at some Stuff and Things with which I would like to be gifted.


A new lens for my camera. I’ve been eyeing the Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8, but it’s really expensive. I want something that will take great portraits, I think.


Another battery for my camera, because the battery always dies at the most inopportune of times. This has been on my wish list since October 2011. Maybe I need to just buy it for myself.


The Most Beautiful Boots.


Black boots to wear with all of my black clothing.


A Marc Johns print about an orange and David Foster Wallace.


A Cute/sappy pillow.

Elsewhere: I tell you how to make a showy, glowy picture pumpkin

The Photojojo showy glowy picture pumpkinI don’t think I’ve carved a pumpkin since early in Rockford’s graduate school days, when he worked for a gentleman who was very enthusiastic about Halloween, but I’ve spent a lot of time over the last couple of weeks thinking about things to do with pumpkins. (Besides turning them into pies or smashing them, obviously.)

Why the sudden gourd obsession? Because the fine folks at Photojojo wanted a post about a Cool Thing to Do with a Pumpkin.

I’m pretty pleased with the final result.

You can read all about it at — and be a witness to the launch of Rockford’s career as a hand model — at Picture Pumpkins: Give Your Halloween Memories a Gourdy Glow. Let me know if you give it a try! I’d love to see your fancy photo pumpkin.

(Related: “Gourd” never, ever looks like its spelled correctly. Especially after you type it multiple times. Gourd gourd gourd.)